Structural Engineer
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Inspired Designs Engineering and Architecture (IDEA)
Location: Springfield, Missouri
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Senior Architect
Supervises: None (may provide technical leadership and mentorship to designers and engineering staff)
POSITION SUMMARY
Inspired Designs Engineering and Architecture (IDEA) is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Structural Engineer to support the design, engineering, certification, and continuous improvement of steel-based modular building systems. This position is responsible for developing safe, efficient, code-compliant structural solutions for commercial, residential, hospitality, educational, healthcare, government, and specialty modular construction projects throughout the United States.
The Structural Engineer serves as a critical technical resource within the Engineering Department, collaborating closely with Architecture, Production Engineering, State Approval, Manufacturing, Project Management, Procurement, Quality Assurance, and Executive Leadership teams. This role ensures all structural systems meet applicable building codes, state approval requirements, manufacturing constraints, transportation demands, installation conditions, and long-term performance expectations.
The ideal candidate combines strong structural engineering expertise with practical manufacturing knowledge and a passion for innovation in off-site and modular construction.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Structural Design & Engineering
Design structural systems for modular buildings utilizing:
Structural steel framing systems
Cold-formed steel framing systems
Hybrid steel structural systems
Modular chassis and transportation support systems
Perform structural engineering calculations for:
Dead loads
Live loads
Wind loads
Seismic loads
Snow loads
Transportation loads
Lifting and rigging loads
Installation and setting loads
Design module-to-module structural connection systems.
Design module-to-foundation interface systems.
Develop anchorage and tie-down systems.
Verify structural integrity throughout manufacturing, transportation, installation, and occupancy.
Prepare stamped engineering documents when licensed and authorized.
Review and approve structural modifications and field engineering changes.
Evaluate structural performance and constructability during project development.
Structural Manufacturing Optimization
Design structural systems that maximize manufacturing efficiency and repeatability.
Develop standardized framing systems that reduce engineering variability.
Optimize structural designs for CNC-driven fabrication processes.
Collaborate with Production Engineering to improve manufacturability and reduce production cycle times.
Identify opportunities to reduce material waste while maintaining structural performance.
Support implementation of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Participate in production floor reviews and prototype evaluations.
Transportation & Installation Engineering
Analyze transportation loads and road-induced structural stresses.
Design temporary and permanent reinforcement systems required during transport.
Develop lifting, rigging, and setting procedures for modular units.
Verify structural integrity during loading, transport, crane lifting, and installation activities.
Support field installation teams with structural setting requirements.
Investigate transportation or installation-related structural concerns and implement corrective actions.
Engineering Documentation
Produce complete structural engineering packages including:
Structural plans
Engineering calculations
Structural details
Connection details
Framing layouts
Foundation requirements
Structural specifications
Develop and maintain standard structural details and engineering libraries.
Establish and maintain engineering design standards.
Ensure engineering documentation supports manufacturing efficiency and field installation requirements.
Coordinate drawing revisions and engineering change notices.
Code Compliance & State Approvals
Ensure designs comply with applicable codes and standards including:
International Building Code (IBC)
International Residential Code (IRC) where applicable
ASCE 7
AISC Standards
AISI Standards
AWS Welding Standards
ICC Standards
State Modular Program Requirements
Local Jurisdiction Requirements
Support state approval submissions and third-party engineering reviews.
Respond to state agency and plan review comments.
Assist with obtaining approvals in new jurisdictions.
Monitor code changes and regulatory updates affecting modular construction.
Support certification and compliance initiatives across all approved states.
Product Development & Innovation
Support development of new modular products and building systems.
Participate in value engineering initiatives.
Evaluate emerging materials, technologies, and structural systems.
Develop solutions that improve:
Manufacturing efficiency
Transportation performance
Installation speed
Structural durability
Product quality
Cost competitiveness
Contribute to research and development initiatives.
Assist in developing future standardized building platforms.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with:
Architectural Design
Production Engineering
State Approval Department
Project Management
Procurement
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Assurance
Third-Party Engineers
Regulatory Agencies
Franchise Partners
Participate in design reviews and project coordination meetings.
Provide technical guidance to internal teams.
Support customer, consultant, and franchisee technical inquiries when required.
Assist in resolving field-related structural concerns.
LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS
Demonstrate and model CMC Core Values:
Creative
Honorable
Respectful
Innovative
Synergistic
Total Ownership
Maintain exceptional engineering accuracy and attention to detail.
Take ownership of engineering quality, compliance, and project outcomes.
Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Support a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Mentor designers and junior engineering personnel as appropriate.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering required.
Experience
Minimum five (5) years of structural engineering experience.
Experience designing commercial building structures required.
Experience with modular, prefabricated, manufactured, industrialized, or off-site construction preferred.
Experience coordinating with manufacturing and production teams preferred.
Technical Knowledge
Strong understanding of:
Structural steel design
Cold-formed steel design
Steel connection design
Modular chassis engineering
Concrete foundation systems
Transportation and lifting analysis
Building code compliance
Modular construction methodologies
Structural detailing practices
Manufacturing-driven design principles
Value engineering methodologies
Software Proficiency
Experience with:
AutoCAD
Revit
RISA
RAM Structural System
STAAD
Enercalc
Bluebeam
Microsoft Office Suite
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Engineer (PE) License required or ability to obtain within a defined timeframe.
Multi-state engineering licensure preferred.
Experience with state modular approval programs.
Experience coordinating with third-party plan review agencies.
Experience developing standardized steel modular building systems.
Familiarity with BIM workflows and digital manufacturing environments.
Experience supporting CNC-driven fabrication processes.
KEY PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
The Structural Engineer will be expected to:
Deliver structural engineering packages accurately and on schedule.
Maintain engineering quality with minimal revisions or review comments.
Ensure compliance with all applicable codes and regulations.
Support successful state approval and certification efforts.
Reduce structural design-related production issues.
Improve standardization and repeatability of structural systems.
Reduce engineering-driven manufacturing delays.
Support cost reduction and value engineering initiatives.
Improve transportation and installation performance through optimized design.
Contribute to continuous improvement and product development programs.
Provide timely and effective technical support to internal stakeholders.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
Ability to review drawings, calculations, and technical documentation.
Ability to visit manufacturing facilities and construction sites.
Ability to inspect fabrication and installation activities.
Occasional travel may be required for project reviews, inspections, engineering evaluations, and state approval meetings.
WHY JOIN IDEA
At Inspired Designs Engineering and Architecture, we are redefining how buildings are designed, engineered, manufactured, transported, and installed. The Structural Engineer plays a vital role in developing innovative modular building systems that improve quality, efficiency, scalability, and profitability across the organization.
This position offers the opportunity to directly influence engineering standards, manufacturing excellence, product innovation, regulatory compliance, and the future growth of a nationally recognized modular construction platform.